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Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting concludes

The 32nd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting concludes, when Laos pushes energy integration under the Asean Power Grid

Introduction: The conclusion of the 32nd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting or AMEM takes place on Wednesday the 24th of September in Vientiane, the Capital of the Lao PDR.

Lao Minister of Energy and Mines, Soulivong Daravong said during the regional sitting on Energy, Laos used the 32nd AMEM to promote the potential it has for energy development especially hydropower plants, and hydropower connectivity within the region.

Story: In his closing remark at a news conference that concluded the three-day meeting, Lao Minister of Energy and Mines, Soulivong Daravong summarized the accomplishments of the 32nd AMEM and Related Meetings. He said, the 32nd AMEM closed with support for Lao Hydropower and multilateral energy trade.

Thailand’s Minister of Energy, Dr Narongchai Akrasanee, said a meeting will be convened in Bankgok in November to discuss various frameworks to implement multilateral trade in energy among Lao PDR, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. He said, We are all willing to do it and hopefully we can reach an agreement quickly.

In the Joint Ministerial Statement of the 32nd AMEM, the Ministers applauded the initiative to undertake a pilot project to explore cross-border power trade from Lao PDR to Singapore. They noted, this could “serve as a pathfinder to further enhance multilateral electricity trading beyond neighboring borders to support the realisation of ASEAN Power Grid or APG.”

The Joint Ministerial Statement of the 8th East Asia Summit reaffirmed the importance of strengthening energy security and improving energy access in the region. They said the participating countries would account for about 65 percent of global energy demand by 2035.

In the joint statement of the Dialogue Between AMEM and the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Ministers observed that the vibrant ASEAN economy is the third fastest-growing in the world on a real GDP growth basis. They also underscored the need to further ensure energy security, accessibility and sustainability in the region.

In the joint statement of the ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and Korea), Ministers acknowledged the great potential of renewable energy, especially hydropower, to enhance energy security, noting that hydropower “will continue to remain a cost-effective solution in this region for quite a long time.”

Lao Minister of Energy and Mines, Soulivong Daravong thank Excellencies, Heads of ASEAN Dialogue Partners from Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States, for their active involvement in this important dialogue. He also thank Excellencies, ASEAN Energy Ministers, the ASEAN Secretariat, and all Delegates who gave their valuable time and support to the 32nd AMEM and the Related Meetings here in Vientiane.

He said adding that, we are very pleased and honoured to have shown you the hospitality that makes Laos a special place.

Up to 300 participants attended the 32nd AMEM and its related meetings in Vientiane on Tuesday the 23rd of September, which was proceeding under the theme “Power Integration for Asean Prosperity”.

Source: Lao National Television News in English
Broadcast on September 24, 2014